For those who like a nicer version of the notebook when you're ready for refills, Levenger.com sells them (called Notabilia) and they're very nice. I've been using one of their leather covers for many years and it's showing its wear. . . Plus more expensive and not as good a color selection as this. I'm joining for a new cover. (If it's a faux pas to mention someone else's refill notebooks I apologize - but for this community, you might sell more of the covers if people know there's a nicer refill option than the Mead composition books. That's why I mentioned it.)

The Notabillas look very nice. Thanks for the tip. I've been stockpiling a lot of paper -- mostly French and Japanese brands (Rhodia, Tomoe River, Banditapple Carnet, Apica) in all sorts of sizes. None are of the composition book variety, so I ordered a couple of books from Staples in their Sustainable Earth line. These are interesting notebooks (I got both composition and spiral bound books) -- the paper is 80% sugarcane-based -- made from the waste of sugar production. It has a very interesting, sort of parchment-like feel, pretty thin but does well with fountain pen -- show through, but no bleed through (both sides very usable). And ... the books cost $5.29 (they were just on sale for $3.00). The local Staples doesn't carry them as stock -- but they can be ordered online and sent to your local store in a day without having to pay shipping costs. The covers are of a heavy rough kraft stock that is not so nice to the touch -- which is why I am going for one of these covers.